"Nintendo Network" Logo Spotted On Final Fantasy Theatrhythm for 3DS

The Japanese release of Square Enix's upcoming music game Final Fantasy Theatrhythm may be the first Nintendo 3DS title to utilize the Nintendo Network, given the logo's debut appearance on what is allegedly official art for the game. So what the heck is the Nintendo Network?

At this stage, we know it's a cute diminutive logo on a box (or a promotional flyer for Theatrhythm), but it's likely that the Nintendo Network is the name of the service Nintendo and third party publisher will use to sell add-ons for 3DS games. (Previously, Nintendo has used the term Nintendo Network as part of its E3 promotion.)

Or it may be as simple as a rebranding of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection trademark.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata addressed the concept of selling downloadable content for 3DS games last October, when he said "with the update of the Nintendo eShop scheduled for the end of November, a mechanism, with which the users can separately purchase inexpensive add-on items and content for a game they have purchased, will be incorporated."

Specifically, that service "is not only the publishers’ ability to provide consumers with add-on content but they will also be able to charge for such items."

"Nintendo will also offer something like this for the titles Nintendo publishes next year, in a way that should be appreciated by our consumers," Iwata said at the time. "I also hear that some of the software publishers are intending to launch titles that incorporate this new structure of the Nintendo eShop from early next year."

Reportedly, Nintendo will offer post-release add-on content for its Fire Emblem game for the 3DS.

The Nintendo Network logo was spotted and snapped by Japanese Twitter user "Joshua X," by the way, perhaps revealing the official name of the networking service ahead of Nintendo's schedule.

We've reached out to Nintendo seeking clarification on its new network initiatives.